In Sump Protien Skimmers

[balakoth]

Well I did the great big one and blew 150 bucks when I first started this reef experience without much research on the overall usage of Skimmers... Silly me I know.

Now I have finally decided to go with a Lifereef standard prefilter overflow (Siphon), plumb it to a 20 Gallon Sump/DSB/Refug and house my Skimmer, Heater, and add those cool things called additives without worrying about putting holes in my fish cuz i dropped a granual of Calcium on them :P hehe.


My problem is now I have a CPR BakPak that seems almost useless. Sure i can extend the intake to allow the MJ MOd to reach the bottom of my Sump, but..... Is this going to efficently skim my tank now that Ive added another 20 gallons to my total water capacity. And if not... do you suppose I could sell the BakPak for about 70-100 bucks (2 months old) and find myself a good insump skimmer?

Oh wait... the reason I really wrote this post.. Recomendations for a 50 Gallon with a 20 Gallon Sump/Refug, in sump skimmer? I suppose its best to replace my Bakpak now instead of later unless you think I can easily make it work for me efficently.

The problem Im having is that the only other options for Insump skimmers seem to be made for 100 gallon tanks or more.. ranging at 200 to 250 bucks a pop. This of course it not what i wanted to see, but such is life in the little glass case I call my ocean.

Suggestions? Help? What the heck do I do to correct my now first very noticable mistake in equipment purchases?


Thanks for bearing with me guys, I cant seem to get off some of these same topics.



_ joe

[TimBeR]

I think the bak-pak should work for you untill you can replace it I thought they are rated up to 75 gall and your sump probably won't be using the full 20 gallons
but don't take my word on it I have yet to run a sump but I am jumping into head first heheh I am setting up dual 75's with a 50 gall sump
in the future.
So I too would like to here recomendations on Skimmers for 150 gall and up tanks thanks
Clay

[beach bum]

1. Get a skimmer rated to handle your NEXT tank...believe me.

2. Do you really have room for an in-sump skimmer and refugium in a 20g?

3. Berlin classic might be a good option - BTW, I have one for sale...

[FLHT]

I'm not sure why you think your bak-pac is
worthless. I used one for years and I still
think they are one of the best skimmers on
the market. Is it not doing something?
If your tank is not overloaded with fish and
things I would think the CPR would handle
a 50 gal reef and a 20 gal sump.
FLHT

[Flatlander]

I would say one of the , needle wheel skimmers, such as a Turbofloater would be perfect for your needs.

However if you are going to a larger tank some day, then perhaps an investment in a Euroreef.

[balakoth]

FL,

The BakPak was designed to work effiecently as a drop in and start up Saltwater Skimmer in a hang on style. Using this in my Sump requires me to extend the intake and possibly lose some effect that skimmer was made to sit and a sump and operate as one. I could be wrong, but Ive noticed alot of the insump skimmers work about 100 fold better than the CPR.


As far as fitting all that in my sump... Its a 30 x 16 x 16 I believe the larger baffled section gives me wonderufll room for a 6 inch sandbed and some macro, while the smaller portion fits the sump and heater. (It looked like alot bigger than 20 gallons, but thats what it said heh) With the CPR I have more than enough room as non of the skimmer really has to drop into the Sump. and I still think with another Skimmer I would have plenty of room.

From what ive been told your sump is used to hold external accessories to hopefully clearu p some clutter, reduce noice and possibly give another means for circulation. Whie a refugium is there to kill nitrates and positively affect your Tank. This being the case, there would be no reason to seperate your refugium from your Sump unless you wanted it as a display factor in your aqarium.


Beach Bum the berlin classic is rated for how large of a system? Ive been researching skimmers and it doesn't seem as though they are rated as high as some of the ETS or nice In Sump skimmers. If you have had different results I would like to talk to you possibly about purchasing that.

It looks like no matter what Im doing Ill be blowing about another 200 bucks. I eventually want to move up to a 175, if I upgrade the skimmer for that on my 50 gallon would this not be overkill?


Thanks guys. Joe

[beach bum]

Sounds like a nice sump! I spent all my money on the skimmer... rubbermaid and old used taks for me...they also call me the 'cinder-block kid' 'round these parts!

btw, you have a new PM,
chris

[chewie]

Did you ever try the maxi jet mod? It really makes a difference.

[Doug1]

FWIW the Berlin should work fine on the tank you have now and be OK on an upgrade, esp if you get the hang of a refugium, once it matures it will export enough the you wont need to skim heavily anyway. If you were looking at a heavy fish load you might get more results from a big Beckett Jet type skimmer but I think you can get by without

[FishDaddy]

Joe,
I personally don't think you'll get enough difference from a Bak-Pak to the next level of skimmer (i.e. $200+ range) to make it worth your while on a 50 gallon tank, assuming a moderate bioload. If it's performing well for your 50 now, the additional 10-12 gallons in the sump (you don't want to fill that 20) isn't going to make that much difference. The Bak Pak will fit on your sump though you may have to use a piece of Plastic tubing to lower the MJ. If you were making an initial purchase for this setup, or if your Bak Pak doesn't do the job, then an Urchin Pro would fit rather well in that price range.

My reasoning is that if you are certain to upgrade to a 175 in the relatively near future, a skimmer in the $200-250 range would be inadequate and you'll be shelling out many more $$$ at that time.

I would suggest giving the Bak Pak a tryout before making an addtional purchase.
Dick

[JMOR]

My friend uses his BP in his 20g sump. He upgraded to a Rio 800 and extended the intake tube to reach the water level. You will also need to connect some clear tubing for the return to reach the water level unless you like the sound of water splashing all day.

[balakoth]

I guess im just a bit confused on what an "adequet" skimmer is then. With a 150 gallon Corner or Bow Front (Its not a real big concern, but I wasnt planning on going over 150) then the first breed of EuroReef isnt going to accomidate me??

CS6-1 that is ment for 75 to 200 gallon tanks.. or so it says. My choice to move up in skimmers was that for the fact I wanted to upgrade later, get the most convienent and effective skimming product (Contact Time, Skimmate, Dwell time and so forth) and go on the recomendations of others.


If the CS6-1 EuroReef cant handle a 150, what exactly would? Right now the CPR is a pain to me, One the cleanup, and at the current time fitting the Maxi Jet mod into my tank as a hang on wasnt working out so well. All in All it was becoming a pain to me.

Anyways, go ahead and put out your thoughts please, curious to know what people think on the EuroReef CS6-1s and what kind of tank it could handle? Figure if I have the money to upgrade I might as well do it now.


Thank, Joe

[FishDaddy]

Joe,
I am planning a tank upgrade myself, probably to a 90, though a larger one isn't out of the question if the price is right.

My short list is a My Reef MR-1 first with the EuroReef CS6-1 close. My impression would be that either would be fine for a 150.
Those who have actually used one of these on a tank larger than say, a 135, might share their experience.
Dick

[beach bum]

I will be performing an experiment on this one starting TODAY! My roommate decided to 'give up the ghost' and get out of the fish hobby. For $350 I got a new 5 ft acrylic tank, a 'never plugged in' cs6-1, and 440w vho lighting...

I will be removing the remora w/MJ mod from my 50g and be replacing it with a cs6-1. In week or two once it warms up, I'll give you a report on how much more it pulls out. I'm looking forward to finding out!!!

chris

[FishDaddy]

" For $350 I got a new 5 ft acrylic tank, a 'never plugged in' cs6-1, and 440w vho lighting...

chris

WOW!!! What a deal, Chris!! That's just a bit more than the Euro alone would cost new!
Dick